Both Uses of
precedent
in
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
- A murderer and a villain; A slave that is not twentieth part the tithe Of your precedent lord; a vice of kings; A cutpurse of the empire and the rule, That from a shelf the precious diadem stole And put it in his pocket!†
Scene 3.4 *
- But in my terms of honour I stand aloof; and will no reconcilement Till by some elder masters of known honour I have a voice and precedent of peace To keep my name ungor'd.†
Scene 5.2
Definition:
-
(precedent as in: sets a precedent) an example from a prior time -- typically used to justify similar occurrences at a later time (especially a judicial decision)